The Western Brothers 1783

John Singleton Copley painted these brothers in an unknown year with oil on canvas. Note the dog, alert and barking, contrasting with the calm, almost staged pose of the boys. The pointing gesture, seen in the elder brother, is a charged symbol that has echoed through art history since antiquity. We see it, for example, in the frescoes of the Roman catacombs, a symbol of divine direction, or in Renaissance depictions of John the Baptist, guiding the viewer toward Christ. Here, the gesture seems to indicate adventure, curiosity, and perhaps a subtle hint of command. The inclusion of a dog—a symbol of loyalty and vigilance—adds another layer. This faithful companion, ever alert, contrasts with the contemplative nature of the younger brother studying a map, symbolizing a connection between the tangible world and the world of exploration.